Identification of novel bacterial biomarkers to detect bird scavenging by invasive rats.

ABSTRACT: Rapid advances in genomic tools for use in ecological contexts and non-model systems allow unprecedented insight into interactions that occur beyond direct observation. We developed an approach that couples microbial forensics with molecular dietary analysis to identify species interactions and scavenging by invasive rats on native and introduced birds in Hawaii. First, we characterized bacterial signatures of bird carcass decay by conducting 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing on chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) tissues collected over an 11-day decomposition study in natural Hawaiian habitats. Second, we determined if field-collected invasive black rats (Rattus rattus; n = 51, stomach and fecal samples) had consumed birds using molecular diet analysis with two indep

SUBMITTER: Muletz-Wolz CR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7882976 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature